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vbac or cesarean?
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December 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
The New Year is here. Funny, I used to look at the New Year as a new start. It was time to think about where I had been and where I wanted to go. Then, I had a child. Now, every day is new as I see the world through her eyes. Every day is a new adventure. Quite frankly, these days I'm not sure where I have been or where I am going. I d...
What Are Your New Year's Resolutions?
Friday, December 30, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Hopefully by now you are able to take a breath, relax ,and enjoy the fact that the stress of the holidays is over. And guess what, as your little reward – you have a new year to make even bigger and better plans for the year ahead, and to make your dreams come true. Every year, I tend to have the same New Year's resolutions....
Thursday, December 29, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
My dislike for shopping has left my wardrobe distressed, to say the least. I’ve been out of the full time workforce for almost eight years, and although I continue to work, I do so at home. (I hate to admit it, but right now I’m writing this article in my running clothes, because my mind is most fresh in stinky sweaty sweats after pound...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 by Stef Daniel
This little blog post is not for the faint at heart. Or the eternal optimist. Or the parent who thinks that what he or she sees on the news will never happen to them or their family. But I believe it is something that all parents need to be reminded of from time to time. Recently, in a suburb of Atlanta, a little girl was abdu...
Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards Vacation Together
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
WHAT!?! That was my first thought when I saw the blurb on my People mobile app that Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards were vacationing together. They have been tweeting from some unknown tropical local that they are having soooo much fun and are glad to be spending winter break together. Now, typically, my sensible brain would give them a mental p...
Carnival & Scooby Doo Themed Birthday Party a Hit with the Kids: Here’s How We Did It!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I posted last week that one of the most surprising things to me about parenthood was the amount of money spent on a child’s birthday party. I’ve always enjoyed throwing parties for my kids, and when I compare the cost it would be to do one outside of the house, at a bounce house or something similar, to what it would cost to do it at t...
Tuesdays Top 10 - How Childhood has Changed
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Remember back in the day, when you were a child? Oh, how childhood has changed. There are so many things that my kids have in their lives that I don’t remember having at all. This Tuesday, take a walk down memory lane and help us think of all the things that make your child’s childhood different from yours! Moms...
Momspirational SHOUT OUT To Doctors
Monday, December 26, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I have to admit, that I haven’t always been uber impressed with doctors. I believe that when it comes to children and adults, that you have to be proactive – and to really push the issues sometimes. I think, especially in a pediatrician’s office, that doctors become so accustomed to strep throat, snotty noses, and throw-...
Monday, December 26, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Tantrums. Hopefully you haven't seen too many of these in the past few days. Tantrums can be unpredictable. Sometimes, they seem to happen for no apparent reason. They often seem sparked by the unknown. Sometimes, they make absolutely no sense. And, as to how to best resolve a tantrum? Most of us try to work through the minute - or more...
Gift Cards Galore: What to Do With Your Plastic Stash
Monday, December 26, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Christmas is over, and chances are high that you racked up a decent amount of gift cards that will keep you from spending cold, hard cash over the next few weeks – or months. Gift cards are often on the top of a recipient’s list of wants, and the reasons are plenty: you can purchase exactly what you want or need, rather than having s...
Jessica Simpson Inks a Deal with Weight Watchers
Saturday, December 24, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
According to the Post, Jessica Simpson has signed on as Weight Watchers' newest spokesperson. She will use the program after having her baby to lose any baby weight and perhaps some of the excess weight that she has gained over the past few years. While I understand the want to lose baby weight having three kids of my own, I think inking a de...
Christmas Cards Go Virtual – Well, Except for Mine
Friday, December 23, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Due to a pre-Christmas family vacation, I sent my Christmas cards out late: Yesterday, actually, holding my breath and hoping they got there as I placed them in the mailbox. When I woke this morning and checked my email, I found a friend’s virtual annual Christmas card, photos attached, snippets from the year securely embedded in a Yahoo mes...
Friday, December 23, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Every year, I have the same plan. I will have all of my holiday shopping done early (please hold your laughter) so I can enjoy the festivities of the holidays and make sure that all the presents are happily wrapped. That way I can enjoy Christmas Eve and actually go to bed before 3am, which makes the 6am (if I am lucky) wake up call from...
Thursday, December 22, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Happy holidays? Yes, I meant that to be a question. Let's face it; in addition to "happy," the holidays can be stressful, exhausting, exhiliarating, and more. Whether you are loaded up and ready to head out of town or waiting for guests to arrive, you may find yourself and your little one having to do a little extra work for a hap...
Jessica Alba Talks About Teaching Humility
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Jessica Alba is the mother to 3-year old Honor and 4-month old Haven. She talks to People Magazine about how she is teaching her children to be humble. Alba says her and her husband Cash Warren are “Keeping her humble and not trying to over spoil her and letting her understand that there are people that don’t have what she has.&rdq...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Here we are a few days away from Christmas, and I cannot help but wonder if I will ever get everything done. I still have a few lingering presents to buy, haven’t really thought about baking cookies with the kids, and have never finished the outdoor decorations as I had planned at Thanksgiving. And now, it seems that in an i...
What are Your Family Budget Goals for the New Year?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Long ago I gave up making New Year resolutions. I realized at the time that writing out a list of things I wanted to accomplish was futile; instead, I would focus on one thing on the list of several and forget about the rest. Besides, I believe short term goals are the way to go. If I know I can focus on one thing – let’s say, increasi...
Monday, December 19, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
The video store guy and I are on good terms. We chat a lot about a variety of things beyond which movies are great and which ones I should pass up, and this week, as I picked up New Moon to rent (I have to see them all before the new one, of course!), we discussed credit cards. I have been a long time believer in not charging more than you can pay...
Monday, December 19, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
I believe. Yes, I'm staring the big 4-0 in the face, but I still believe in Santa. Yes, I am totally sane. You see, for me Santa is about magic. He is about traditions. He is about love, joy, and celebrations. He is about all that is good. He is about having faith and believing in things that you cannot see. He is about the wonder of childhood. ...
Katherine Heigl Talks About Cheating
Saturday, December 17, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Celebrities don’t hold the corner market on cheating on their significant others or spouses; but it does seem to be a prominent problem in Hollywood, where long-term relationships are the rarity, not the norm. Recently, Katherine Heigl spoke to People Magazine about what she would do if her husband, Josh Kelley, cheated on her. She says that...
Would You Trade in Your Landline Phone for Your Cell Phone in Order to Save Money?
Thursday, December 15, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
In the past few months my husband and I have had a discussion based on cutting back monthly spending. We have looked at a variety of ways to do this, especially as it relates to technology. Do we need cable (I’ll write about this later), and what is the advantage of paying for two cell phones and a landline phone? Are we throwing good money o...
Talkin' Television - Yes, We Do Watch
Thursday, December 15, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
I hate the television. Yes, we do watch. I just want to make that clear. In fact, now that the weather in lovely Cleveland has turned cold and gray, you might find us watching more than ever. You see, on Thanksgiving Day we were hanging out at my sister's house. Hers is a "TV household." I don't really have any strong opinions about th...
Thursday, December 15, 2011 by Stef Daniel
"Hello! Where is YOUR Mothering Gene?" I wanted to ask a certain mom I saw whose child was obviously extremely sick, and not feeling well sitting in the emergency room while I was there for testing. By the look on this woman's face and the rigidness with which she dealt with her child, it was obvious that this trip was, for her...
Alyssa Milano Talks About Breastfeeding
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Alyssa Milano is mom to 3-month old Milo, and recently talked to People Magazine about breastfeeding. She tells People that ”I think the thing I like best about breastfeeding is the closeness I feel to Milo, and knowing that he’s getting the best of me.” But, she is still not comfortable with breastfeeding in public. She is worrie...
Discouraged by Couponing? Don’t Give Up! Tips to Survive the First Six Weeks
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I recently had a conversation with a friend about couponing. She’d started to coupon after a seminar in our area that showed how to stack and buy on sale, but after only a few weeks she gave up. The time, she felt, was extreme, and the savings? Not so much. This tends to happen a lot with new couponers. I believe people go in thinking they&r...
Tuesday's Top 10 - Favorite Things About Christmas
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by Stef Daniel
'Tis the Season! Obviously, there are hundreds of great things to love about the holidays. From the colors to the lights to the FOOD (Dear Treadmill: I will be seeing YOU in January); there is just something magical about the season. Especially when you are able to see all of this, and engage in the magic of the holidays through...
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have Gone
Monday, December 12, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have gone, leaving us with about three weeks left for Christmas shopping. I’m pleased to say that mine is mostly done. My husband and I finished up the girls’ gifts yesterday, so all I have left is something for him and something for my mom. I opted not to go out and shop with the hordes of people who did ...
Happy Holidays - Educating Your Child About What Matters Most
Monday, December 12, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Whatever you celebrate, chances are that you and your family are immersed in full blown holiday hoopla. My question is this: "Is your child really learning anything from all your holiday fun?" Does it matter what they learn? At this age and stage, what are your expectations? I spent the morning with 7 preschoolers, aged 3 to 5 y...
The Sacrifices of a Stay at Home Mom
Monday, December 12, 2011 by Stef Daniel
I have been a stay at home mother for a really long time now. In the first ten years, I have to admit that I never once thought about anything else that I would rather be doing. I never thought about what it really means to be a stay at home parent. My husband and I just decided that we would afford it, and we dove in head first because...
Saturday, December 10, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
I recently read a People Magazine article about Beyoncé and her eating habits during this pregnancy. Reportedly, she isn’t pigging out and is trying to keep her pregnancy gain to a minimum. She supposedly isn’t having any crazy cravings or indulging herself. She says that, “Because I’ve met so many people that sa...
Saturday, December 10, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Much to my wandering eye did my very worn, comfortable, red cowboy boots catch my attention from the back of my so-called closet. There they were. In hiding. But now, with colder weather approaching and the wearing of flip-flops (or going barefoot) getting a little ridiculous – THEY JUST MADE SENSE. Last night, my ...
Thursday, December 08, 2011 by Stef Daniel
The other night, my family watched a news documentary that talked about all the homeless families and children in Florida. According to statistics, even though Florida is known for palm trees and resorts, there are more homeless children living in Florida than there are in any other state across the United States. My parents live in...
Thursday, December 08, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Get smart when it comes to your child. Today's lesson: developmental domains. Sounds pretty fancy, eh? Not only fancy, but spectacular as the developmental domains describe six areas of personal and cognitive (thinking skills) development that children need to obtain, hopefully by the time they enter kindergarten (usually around the ag...
Throw a Great Birthday Party While Keeping Down the Costs
Thursday, December 08, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
One thing they don’t prepare you for when you have kids are the $400 birthday parties that seem to be almost the norm these days. Rent out the bounce house and buy a cake and you’ve paid more for two hours of toddler fun than many people pay for a monthly car note. The idea of tossing this kind of money into a birthday party turns my s...
Kourtney Kardashian Expecting a Second Child
Wednesday, December 07, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
Well, the Kardashian publicity train keeps on rolling. Sources tell People this week that Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick are expecting their second child. This baby will join brother Mason and will likely come out with sunglasses, a big butt, and ready to publish its every move to the media. I have never been a Kardashian family fan, I just c...
Tuesday's Top 10 - What Does Mom Want for Christmas
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 by Stef Daniel
What is at the top of your MOM holiday wish list? Oh, come on…just because you are overwhelmed and busy trying to make everything perfect for your family for the holidays doesn’t mean that there isn’t something YOU want as well! It’s really sort of funny. When I look back over my holiday wish lists over ...
Winterize Your Home for Savings
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Brrr! The weather outside has turned frightful, which means pulling out the big coats, thick gloves, and furry hats for the winter. It also means trying to find a way to keep the house as warm as possible without paying more than your mortgage in heating costs each month. We moved to the south from out west, where the temperature hovered around 7...
Holiday Decorating Made Easy and Cheap
Monday, December 05, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Are you feeling the stress of the holidays yet? A while back, I told you how much I hated the holiday season. I also made a vow that this year – I would not play the part of Scrooge no matter how stressful things got for me. I realize when I am feeling most adult, that ruining the holidays for my children is not somet...
Monday, December 05, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
Are you finished with your holiday shopping? Perhaps you haven't even started? It's time to jump in to holiday fun! Not sure where to start? A simple Internet search will net you just "a few" ideas. If you're overwhelmed or simply don't have the energy to go searching, here are a few basic, tried and true toys for the toddler or...
Shopping Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops for Holiday Gifts
Monday, December 05, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Since the recession began several years ago, sales at thrift stores have risen. According to the National Association of Retail Professionals, sales in thrift and consignment stores grew 12.7 percent in 2009; during that same period of time, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported retail sales had dropped by about 7 percent. These stores con...
Saturday, December 03, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Do tell….what is the cutest thing your child says? My four year old is somehow caught in a rabbit hole of not wanting to grow up. She knows that with her approaching birthday, when she will be 5, she HAS to start school. And she doesn’t want to yet. She tells me that she wants to stay “tree” (i...
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Adopting Another Child?
Friday, December 02, 2011 by Heather Montgomery
News outlets have been reporting that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are considering adopting a seventh child. Reportedly, the pair has promised their daughter Zahara that they would adopt another child from Ethiopia, Zahara’s birth country. I have very mixed feelings on this. I think adoption is a remarkable thing, and it takes a large ...
Do YOU Pick Your Child's Friends?
Thursday, December 01, 2011 by Stef Daniel
Do You Pick Your Child’s Friends? Sure you do, right? They are just babies or toddlers at the moment. Logically speaking, your friends' children make the perfect friends for your kids. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. Your kiddos get a play date, and you get to talk to someone who is interested in m...
Consider Shopping Craft Stores for Great Holiday Gift Deals
Thursday, December 01, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’m a crafter. I can spend all day sewing, scrapbooking, embroidering, painting, Photoshopping pictures and creating cards with them, or working on some other type of art project. Not that I have all day now that I have two children; but, when time permits, I enjoy doing something crafty. My kids, and I believe nearly all kids, love to compl...
Thursday, December 01, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
How is your weather? Welcome to my world and Cleveland, OH. Although we have a lot of wonderful things going for us, the weather this time of year isn't one of them. Two words: cold and gray. Whatever the weather, our kiddos need to explore the great outdoors. Indeed, I’m a big believer in the good of Mother Nature for o...
